San Francisco 49ers long snapper Brian Jennings warms up before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Ran on: 11-30-2011
49ers long snapper Brian Jennings is the only player left from the 2002 NFC West champions. less

San Francisco 49ers long snapper Brian Jennings warms up before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

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Brian Jennings is featured on the "10-year wall" at 49ers headquarters in Santa Clara.

Brian Jennings is featured on the "10-year wall" at 49ers headquarters in Santa Clara.

Photo: Ron Kroichick, Courtesy Of The 49ers

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Long snapper Brian Jennings #86 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 29, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 27-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Ran on: 11-30-2011
Brian Jennings has run onto the field as a 49er over 12 seasons, but this year will be only his third playoff season. less

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Long snapper Brian Jennings #86 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 29, ... more

Photo: Christian Petersen, Getty Images

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 12: Tight end Brian Jennings #86 of the San Francisco 49ers looks skyward while a touchdown play is reviewed by referees during the NFL season opener against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on September 12, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The play was nullified. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) less

SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 12: Tight end Brian Jennings #86 of the San Francisco 49ers looks skyward while a touchdown play is reviewed by referees during the NFL season opener against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest ... more

Photo: Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images

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San Francisco 49ers Arnaz Battle is congratulated by Matt Wilhelm and Brian Jennings as the 49ers defeat the Detroit Lions, 20-6, Sunday Dec. 27, 2009, in San Francisco, CAlif.

San Francisco 49ers Arnaz Battle is congratulated by Matt Wilhelm and Brian Jennings as the 49ers defeat the Detroit Lions, 20-6, Sunday Dec. 27, 2009, in San Francisco, CAlif.

Jennings counts as the Last Man Standing, the only player remaining from the 49ers of 2002. That was the last San Francisco team to win the NFC West. This year's edition can clinch the division title Sunday by beating lowly St. Louis.

"In a lot of ways it was a minute ago," he said this week, "and in a lot of ways it was a lifetime ago."

Jennings was 26, in his third year in the NFL and just starting to get his footing. The 49ers took him in the seventh round from Arizona State in 2000 - he wasn't even their first choice in the seventh round; they took long-gone quarterback Tim Rattay ahead of him - and he quickly became entrusted with delivering the football to the punter and holder.

Fast forward to 2011 and Jennings, 35, still finds himself in the middle of the fray on punts, field goals and extra points. The best measure of his efficiency over the years: We seldom hear about No. 86, which means he doesn't mess up often.

Also, he's still here.

Jennings noticed the "10-year wall" when he first walked around 49ers headquarters in Santa Clara as a fresh-faced rookie. It's in a hallway adjacent to the running backs' meeting room. Framed photos of the 47 players who spent 10 or more years with the 49ers hang on the wall.

That became Jennings' goal, to make the wall - and his photo now is prominently displayed there, tucked between Bryant Young and Jeff Ulbrich and in close proximity to Jerry Rice.

"Yeah, good company," Jennings said, chuckling. "They put my plaque on the wall and all the pictures looked over and said, 'Who's that guy?' All the 49ers' greats kind of curled their brow."

Rice and Co. spent their time stockpiling wins and adding Super Bowl trophies to the display case. The 49ers reached the playoffs in Jennings' second season and again in his third - and then disappeared into the netherworld, with eight consecutive years of emptiness.

The 49ers didn't even post a winning record in those eight seasons (2003-2010). Jennings' lowest time occurred during an 18-month stretch in which San Francisco went 2-14 (in 2004) and three friends, including former ASU teammate Pat Tillman, died unexpectedly.

That tested Jennings in ways far beyond football, but he persevered. And now here he stands, finally on the brink of returning to the postseason.

"I love being a 49er," Jennings said. "Every year, I've believed we were going to win that year. And when it doesn't go well - it's like dog years when you're losing. It's hard.

"To the credit of the front office and ownership, they were never satisfied with not being good. Having a losing record wasn't acceptable. ... They were willing to make changes. Fortunately, this year they brought in a staff with which we've won a lot of games."

So what separates coach Jim Harbaugh and his assistants from their many predecessors?

"We've had great individual coaches in one or two phases, like Norv Turner, but this is the strongest staff I've been around in all three phases," Jennings said. "We're also very strong in game management, adjustments during games, situational football - particularly decisions in the fourth quarter.

"This is the strongest group I've ever been around - like when we took a safety (against Cincinnati). That's just smart football. What's going to help us win this game?"

The 49ers didn't win many games the past eight years - 46 up, 82 down - but they take a 9-2 record into Sunday's game against the Rams. It's been quite a turnaround. Jennings, a college walk-on who switched from tight end to long snapper after sustaining a knee injury, has weathered the whole wild ride.

He's practically alone in that regard. Only six people on the football-operations staff are left from 2002, including running-backs coach Tom Rathman (who rejoined the team in '09) and two other former players, Keena Turner (now in player development) and Guy McIntyre (in the alumni department).

Back then, the 49ers finished three games clear of the Rams and Seahawks at 10-6, beat the Giants 39-38 in an epic wild-card game and then got thumped 31-6 by eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay. Mariucci, as a reward, was fired.

Nine years later, Jennings relishes his distinction as the Last Man Standing - and the impending end, presumably, of San Francisco's playoff drought.

"Brian's talked a little about a couple of the (long-ago) playoff games," placekicker David Akers said. "He's seen a lot here. He's been able to experience good times and some not-so-good times."

Practice squad change: The 49ers released safety Mark LeGree from the practice squad and re-signed wide receiver John Matthews to take LeGree's spot.

Matthews (6-0, 200) was released from the 49ers' practice squad on Nov. 15 to make room for LeGree, a fifth-round pick of the Seahawks in the 2011 NFL draft.